Arts & crafts co-op

I've just joined a blog called Arts & Crafts Cooperative--here's what they have to say about themselves. "The arts & crafts cooperative is a community blog, started in 2006.We welcome crafts people and artists from all around the world as members; but the site was conceptualized in English, so please only ask for an invite if you can post in English." The point of this is that all contributing artists can write about their work, ask questions, critique, and otherwise network. You can post pictures of your latest creations, you can point out your fabulous new favorite artist, whatever you like. All they ask is that you link to them on your blog.

Swaps..

I'm in a swap mood. I'll have to look for some good ones..

Surprise cupcakes tutorial!

I love those cutie little cupcakes disguised as ice cream. I just love them! "I got this idea from watching one of my new Strawberry Shortcake DVD's called 'Cooking Up Fun'. I've watched it like 4 times already! It's so cute! In the second episode (there's 2), Strawberry and her friends decide to make a cooking show...and broadcast it across Strawberryland. Blueberry Muffin teaches us how to make ice cream pie, Angel Cake makes fudge, Strawberry Shortcake makes cookies on a stick, and Orange Blossom makes her ice cream cone cupcakes! They give you the actual recipes and everything! "There's actually 2 ways to make them. You can either fill the cones with cake batter OR you can pour the batter into muffin tins lined with baking cups and then just place the cone on top and bake. I chose the latter because they make a much bigger top. I took some pictures for you to see my progress. Tonight was Birthday Night at youth group so I made these instead of our normal cupcakes. The kids really liked them! I even put chocolate chips inside for an added surprise! I used 4 tubs of frosting instead of 2 (I made 2 boxes=48 cupcake cones)! They were also pretty difficult to transport. I think I'll buy some Styrofoam boards and make ice cream cone-sized holes for next time! My own little invention! It was a lot of effort, but totally fun!"

My first plush..

is a bearlike creature. Picture soon... In the meantime, I'm designing another plush--this one's a tree, for Project Plushway. Here's how it works: you sign up, you email a random picture to the person in front of you, and then someone sends a picture to you...like a chain letter, only cooler. You design and create a plush--any kind of plush, using any materials you want--inspired in some way, literally or figuratively, by the picture you received. =] Get started, and then post pix of your finished product on the PlushYou Flickr group!

Awww, dragons!

How abominably cute. Haha, I want one! I need to march myself right over to the yarn store now.. Click here for the knit pattern, and then go out and make one for all the dreamers you know.

Hedgehog pincushion

Like hedgies? Me too! Free hedgehog pincushion pattern here. =)

Traditional Greek cookies

This is the recipe my grandmother always used. It's a Christmas-cookie staple. =)

1 lb. sweet butter (melted)

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

2 egg yolks (slightly beaten)

2 tsp. vanilla

1 oz. orange juice

1 tsp. baking soda

5 cups flour

1 cup nuts (optional)

[Brandy or run may be substituted for orange juice and vanilla.]

Mix together and roll into small ball. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees Farenheit. Roll in confectioners sugar while warm and then again before serving.